Doctor-patient dialogues: Discussing obesity and self-advocacy
In the realm of healthcare, it is essential for everyone to feel valued and respected. However, people with obesity may encounter challenges in this regard, as research indicates that weight bias among healthcare professionals can deter them from seeking necessary care.
To combat this issue, self-advocacy has emerged as a powerful tool. By taking an active role in their healthcare, individuals can ensure they receive equitable treatment and make informed decisions about their care.
Self-advocacy involves preparing in advance for appointments, gathering relevant information about diagnostic procedures, treatments, and rights as a patient. This can include contacting a healthcare professional's office in advance to request certain preferences, such as not having weigh-ins, and researching weight-friendly healthcare professionals.
Resources for self-advocacy are readily available. Organisations such as the Obesity Action Coalition, the Council on Size and Weight Discrimination, the Association for Size Diversity and Health, and the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance provide a wealth of information and support. The Health at Every Size (HAES) Health Sheets Projects Team offers printable self-advocacy cards, which contain prepared statements and information resources that people can learn by heart or read when necessary.
During appointments, self-advocacy can involve asking healthcare professionals to accommodate certain preferences and actively participating in decision making. If a person has had a negative experience with a healthcare professional, they can ask that the medical office record their concerns.
Healthcare professionals may consistently aim treatment toward weight loss, regardless of a person's reason for making a medical appointment. Self-advocacy can help people navigate this stigma and biases about their weight in healthcare settings. By educating themselves about their health concerns through research and gathering knowledge, people can take greater ownership of their health.
Acknowledging personal challenges and treating themselves kindly can help buffer people against negative emotions that may occur during a healthcare appointment. Research from 2021 indicates that weight stigmatization in healthcare in Israel occurs frequently and is a significant issue affecting patients with obesity.
Self-advocacy can lead to better, non-weight-focused healthcare and higher treatment satisfaction. In a 2022 study involving almost 1,700 people in Israel, 48% of people with a body mass index (BMI) higher than 25 reported suboptimal healthcare treatment. By speaking up and advocating for themselves, people with obesity can help ensure they receive the care they deserve.
In addition to self-advocacy, people can also provide online reviews of a healthcare professional to help others with obesity decide whether to seek healthcare from them. By sharing their experiences, individuals can help create a more supportive and inclusive healthcare environment for everyone.
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